Employment and Learning Committee hear from the NAS

Early in January, Shirelle Stewart and Regina Cox from the National Autistic Society Northern Ireland presented the Don't Write Me Off campaign to the Employment and Learning Committee. The committee scrutinises the work of the Department of Employment and Learning, which is one of the departments in Northern Ireland that can change the benefits system for people with autism.

Shirelle and Regina were joined by a young adult with autism, who spoke powerfully to the Committee about the problems that she has had getting the support she needs to work. 

The Committee listened carefully to what they were told and said they would take their comments to the Department for Employment and Learning and ministers. There was overwhelming support for the campaign among the Assembly Members. Sue Ramsay, the Chair, said that this was “just the start of [their] involvement in the campaign.”

You can watch the Committee hearing here: the NAS presentation begins at 28 minutes.